Sterling firm fined for hazardous waste violations

BOSTON – The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) penalized Laddawn Inc., of Sterling, $6,052.50 and required the company to perform a supplemental environmental project (SEP) after the firm violated numerous state Hazardous Waste Management regulations and violated the Title 5 Subsurface Disposal requirement.

Laddawn, formerly known as the Northeast Poly Bag Company, is a manufacturer of custom bags, as well as film and tubing sheets that are converted into bags using polyethylene resins at its 2 Northeast Boulevard facility.

During a MassDEP inspection conducted last February, it was determined that the company discharged low-strength industrial wastewater to its on-site Title 5 Sanitary Wastewater Disposal System. Laddawn also failed to comply with numerous Hazardous Waste Management requirements, such as not properly labeling waste containers, collecting more wastes than allowed under the permit, and allowing an unregistered contractor to remove the hazardous wastes from the premises.

In a consent order, the company agreed to maintain compliance with applicable regulations, and to pay $3,022.50 of the assessed penalty; the remainder will be suspended pending completion of the settlement requirements. The company must also spend an additional $3,030 to fund a SEP where the company will purchase a mobile data terminal for the Sterling Fire Department that will be installed in its Rescue Truck 1.

“Once informed of the violations, the company acted very quickly to comply,” said Lee Dillard Adams, director of MassDEP’s Central Regional Office in Worcester. “The mobile data terminal will greatly enhance the fire department’s ability to access information during emergencies.”

MassDEP is responsible for ensuring clean air and water, safe management and recycling of solid and hazardous wastes, timely cleanup of hazardous waste sites and spills, and the preservation of wetlands and coastal resources.